CBS SportsLine
Chat Transcript
September 1, 1999

Get one of your own lithographs of Robinson by Norman Rockwell!

During his prime years, Brooks Robinson was a dangerous slugger and a good RBI man. But it is for his exploits with the leather that he will be remembered. He is one of the best defensive third basemen ever, winning 16 Gold Gloves en route to Cooperstown. Brooks stopped by to talk about the pennant races and the state of MLB today in a live chat with CBS SportsLine fans on Wednesday, September 1.

Robinson reached the Majors in 1955 at the age of 18, hitting .091 in six games for the Baltimore Orioles before establishing himself as a regular in 1958. His 1964 numbers (.317, 28 HR, 118 RBI), combined with his fielding, won him the American League MVP Award. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Robinson was a steady hitter, usually with a batting average around .270, with about 20 homers and 70-90 RBI.

His glove work at third was spectacular. He had extraordinary reflexes, great range, a strong arm, and was incredibly reliable. He led American League third basemen in fielding percentage 11 times, led eight times in assists, eight times in putouts, and won 16 Gold Gloves. Robinson's defensive reputation was solidified with his tremendous defense during the 1970 World Series. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1983, Robinson holds Major League records for third basemen for fielding percentage, putouts, assists, and double plays.

Find out what Brooks had to say in the full transcript of his chat below.

Brooks Robinson: Good evening everyone. It's a pleasure being here and I'm ready for your questions.

Question: Hello Brooks, can you tell me what you consider to be the highlight of your career?

Brooks Robinson: The highlight of my career was my first World Series in 1966. We were the champs for the first time, that year so that would have to be my highlight. Getting to the big leagues was great and being the world champions was the best feeling in the world. Winning the Series is what it's all about.

Question: How does it feel to be generally regarded as the best defensive third baseman of all-time?

Brooks Robinson: I think the best is whoever you want it to be. You can make the case for a lot of guys but that's what sports is all about. I'm happy to be considered one of the best but there are a lot of different eras involved. It's whoever you want it to be and I'm just happy to be one of the best and be in the Hall of Fame. You play in different ball parks and eras and I think that has a lot to do with who the best players are in the game.

Question: What is your take on the current umpire situation?

Brooks Robinson: The umpire situation is sad. I think the umpires play right into MLB's hand. There were some bad decisions in the umpires union but I think if you look at every sport, you've got the best referees and umpires and that's the way it should be. The umpires are never graded or ranked and that leaves the possibility of having some of the lesser quality umpires in the World Series. The ones that are not as good should be sent back to the minors like the players. They need a grading system amongst the umpires basically.

Question: Who do you consider to be a top-notch third baseman today?

Brooks Robinson: Well I like Robin Ventura, having a great year. Matt Williams is another one of my favorites. Cal Ripken has moved over to third base now too, so those three come to mind right away. Matt Williams has a chance at the MVP and Ventura is having a great year in New York.

Question: Why do think this whole mess with the umpires got started?

Brooks Robinson: I think that is one of the reasons that MLB wants to be in control is to implement a grading system. MLB wants more control and after this little episode they will have more control over the umpires. All umpires should work by the same rules. MLB will have more control in my opinion and I think they should as well.

Question: Brooks, who would you consider the best player you have ever seen?

Brooks Robinson: The greatest player I ever faced was Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Mickey Mantle. They did everything the game demanded and did it on an everyday basis. Since my career began in 1955 I have never seen anyone who does it better than those three. I have a hard time separating any of those guys too because they were such great players with tremendous talent.

Question: Do you feel that today's major league players are less talented than the ones you played with because of expansion?

Brooks Robinson: I think the talent overall is a little diluted. Pitching is of less a quality today than when I played. There are more and more teams which gives more guys a chance to play nowadays. But there are still a lot of great players out there like Griffey, McGwire and Sosa, but overall, the talent level is more diluted.

Question: Brooks, is there any player out there that reminds you of yourself when you were playing?

Brooks Robinson: I can't really think of one of the top of my head, but in some respects, Ripken does. Because of his attitude he comes to the park expecting to play and go through the good and bad times and just play hard everyday. I think he loves the game so much like myself. I think it was my love for the game and passion for the game that got me to the Hall of Fame, not my talent. I just loved to play and I know Ripken does and that's why I think he is most similar to myself.

Question: Brooks, do you any conflict with Bud Selig being the commissioner of baseball yet still retaining ownership to the Milwaukee Brewers?

Brooks Robinson: I think it's awful hard for Bud Selig to separate himself from the Brewers. I wouldn't say he's making a mistake, but I think he is the right guy for the game right now and I think he is making an effort to not show favoritism to the Brewers. The Commissioner's Office is there to protect the integrity of the game. And it's the group of owners who actually are in charge of all the major decisions in baseball. Bud Selig has been an owner for a long time and I think he has more insight into the game than anyone else could have in baseball right now and he's the right guy for the job right now.

Question: Brooks, what is your take on cities having to support teams with taxpayer money and sellouts or threatening to move them?

Brooks Robinson: There has been rumors with teams such as Montreal and Minnesota moving, and one of these days they're going to run out of cities. I've often felt there should be a loyalty to the cities, but now I'm of the opinion that if the city can't support the team they should move on. I know Charlotte is a city looking to take in a team. They are up to 30 teams no though and I don't see them reducing that number, but maybe move them around to different cities. I see it going to 32 teams maybe and having even divisions all the way around. I think that will bring about a restructure to get it more geographically correct with four 8-team divisions.

Question: What is your opinion on Pete Rose still not being voted into the Hall of Fame?

Brooks Robinson: If Pete Rose bet on the game of baseball, I do not think he should be in the Hall of Fame. I don't know if he bet on the game of baseball or not though. I have never read the 5-page document that Rose signed when he was banned from the game of baseball. I know he has applied for reinstatement but nothing has happened yet. Betting on the game is the worst thing you can do. That is the cardinal sin, do not bet on a game as player, manager or coach - it undermines the integrity of the game. I don't know a lot about betting but there are many different ways to bet on games, more than just winning and losing the game. The Hall of Fame is not the Hall of Saints, but no one in there bet on the game. Pete Rose was one of the best players to play the game, he thought 24 hours a day on how to beat you and played hard every day.

Question: Brooks, did you ever think you would become a Hall of Famer before you ever played professionally?

Brooks Robinson: For one thing, when I was a youngster growing up, I always wanted to be a big league player. Always wanted to be a big league player. But I don't think anyone who ever signed a pro contract ever thought about being in the Hall of Fame, you never think of it. I played about 15 years before I ever thought about the Hall of Fame at all. So much can happen with the 400 plus writers who vote you into the Hall of Fame and you have to get 75 percent of those votes to get in, so there are a lot of intangibles involved that may or may not help you. I think being a World Series champion and MVP helped my cause, but I don't think I made it because of my ability, but rather for my love for the game of baseball and going out everyday and giving it all I have. I go back every year to make sure they haven't taken my plaque off the wall though. :-) It just puts you in a different group as one of the elite and I have always been honored to be a part of that prestigious group. When you think of all the players in the game and to be considered one of the best, one of the 200 or so in the Hall of Fame is an honor.

Question: Brooks, what was up with that batting helmet?

Brooks Robinson: That is probably the most often asked question to me. Ha ha. In the 1970's they asked us to start wearing the ear flap on our helmets and I would go up to hit and I would see the brim out of the corner of my hat and it bothered me when hitting. I took a hacksaw and cut off some of the flap and the brim so I could see better and it wouldn't distract me so I wouldn't think about the brim of the hat and would concentrate on the pitcher.

Question: Brooks, can you tell us about your web site?

Brooks Robinson: There is a web site that I share with Eddie Murray and Brady Anderson, two other former Orioles.

Question: Who are your picks for this year's World Series?

Brooks Robinson: I like New York and Atlanta in the World series and I'll take the Yankees to win it all. Atlanta looked vulnerable this year but they have put a little distance over the Mets. But for the fans of New York and Atlanta, keep in mind my predictions are never right - ha ha!

Question: In your opinion, do you think there are a lot of politics involved in getting into the Hall of Fame?

Brooks Robinson: I don't think it's too much politics. There are 400 writers voting and there is no set criteria to get in. It's based on your stats, your character in the game, your impact on the game, and that's what makes for a lot of questions. Some writers don't think anyone should get in on your first try.

Question: Brooks, what are your thoughts on the way selections are made for the Hall of Fame?

Brooks Robinson: There are a lot of guys in the Hall of Fame who probably shouldn't be there and some not in who should be, but that's part of the mystique. I couldn't have been happier for a guy like Cepeda, but then there are guys like Ron Santo whose team never made it to the World Series. This is my opinion, but I think that fact enters into their decisions and the Hall of Fame is for special players and I think it's the toughest one to get into and it should be. It's for special players who had special careers. Every writer has their own opinions so I don't think that politics play a large part of it. Next year should be interesting with guys like Carlton Fisk and Goose Gossage. Gary Carter's name is one that has surfaced on the veterans committee and Bill Mazorowski, one of the better second basemen to play. I think they look at offensive numbers more than defensive numbers so I don't think as many defensive stars get in to the Hall of Fame.

Question: Brooks, have you considered possibly managing in the future?

Brooks Robinson: I have never considered managing to be honest. Managing is something I don't think about to be honest, I'm having too much fun today just enjoying the game. Too much off-the-field headaches in the game today to deal with.

Question: Did you take more time concentrating on your offense or your defense?

Brooks Robinson: I take a lot of pride in my defense. Always had the great hand-eye coordination and it was a God-given talent I think. To be able to win 16 Gold Gloves is really something and I think a lot of it has to do with being a good offensive player too. A lot of defensive guys don't get recognition because their offensive numbers didn't get the attention of people. Bauer is a player that comes to mind on that issue who was a great defender but not a great offensive player. The 16 Gold Gloves though, I couldn't be happier.

Question: Brooks, what do you do keep yourself busy nowadays?

Brooks Robinson: I am president of the MLB Players Alumni Association, a non-profit organization and put on a lot of golf tournaments around the country each year. We were just in Denver a couple weeks ago, but we have a different charity in each city that we raise money for and a youth baseball program we raise money for. We try to portray a positive image with baseball and the young kids out there. I work for a lot of speaking engagements as well and I do a lot of chasing the grandkids around.